Apparatus for checking and replacing oil in engine sumps



G. RAINERO July 24, 1956 APPARATUS FOR CHECKING AND REPLACING OIL IN ENGINE SUMPS Filed Sept. 24. 1953 APPARATUS FOR CHECKING AND REPLACING OIL IN ENGINE SUMPS Giovanni Rainero, Turin, Italy, assignor to Compressor-i Universal Stazioni di Servizio Societa in Accomandita Semplice di Rainero Ing. Giovanni & C., Turin, Italy Application September 24, 1953, Serial No. 382,145 Claims priority, application Italy September 27, 1952 2 Claims. (Cl. 222--128) This invention relates to an apparatus for checking and eventually replacing exhausted oil by fresh oil in engine sumps. An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the type referred to, in which the oil flow from the sump and back to the sump is produced by suction and compression of air through a conduit connecting the sump to a transparent receptacle in the apparatus.

Suction and compression of air is effected by a compressor, and reversal of flow from one direction to the other is effected by reversing the connections of piping connecting the transparent receptacle to the compressor.

The apparatus is provided with means for limiting the air pressure during the return flow of oil. The apparatus can be utilised also as high pressure compressor for inflating tires and for further uses in service stations by utilising piping extending from the air reservoir connected to the compressor.

Further characteristic features and advantages of this invention will be understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawing given by way of example, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus ar-' ranged for withdrawal of oil from the engine sump;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus arranged for returning oil to the engine sump for conveying oil to an oil recovery tank;

Figure 3 is a vertical view of the device and Figure 4 is a plan view.

Referring to the Figures 1 and 2, 1 denotes an air compressor provided with a pressure gauge 2 and connected on the pressure side with an air reservoir 3 from which a conduit 4 extends and has fitted to its end a normally close valve 5. A relief valve 7 and a pressure reducing valve 6 are interposed in the conduit 4, the latter valve reducing pressure to a value of approximately two atmospheres.

On the suction side the compressor is connected to a conduit 8 fitted with an end valve 9 similar to valve 5. The valves and 9 can be for instance of the type disclosed by British patent specification No. 166,001 or any other known conventional type, in which the closure member is actuated in the opening direction by the action of coupling of a tube, such as hose 11, which will be referred to hereafter.

The apparatus further comprises a transparent bellshaped receptable 10 for checking the condition of oil. This receptacle can be connected by a hose 11 to the top of the conduit 8 during withdrawal of oil from the engine sump and flow to the bell (Figure l), or to the top of conduit 4 during the return flow of oil (Figure 2). As the piping 11 is fitted to the conduit 4 or 8, their respective valve 5 or 9 is automatically opened. The conduit 4 or 8 which remains free receives a filter 12 which opens the associated valve and holds it in this condition.

The bell 10 is connected by a pipe 15 to a hose 17 fitted at its end with a valve 16 similar to valves 5 and 9. The valve 16 opens, on fitting thereto a varying in size in accordance with the engine type and dipping into the engine sump C. The bell communicates through a bottom valve 13 with an underlying tank 14 for collecting the oil which is found unsuitable for fur ther use on checking through the bell 10.

A pipe 19 is fitted to the air reservoir 3 and ificor- 3 porates a filter 2i) and an automatic switch 30 which adjusts the rate of pressure and is fitted at its end with a valve 21 similar to valves 5, 9, 16. An external hose 22 may be fitted to valve 21 for delivering high pressure air for inflating tyres or other uses in service stations.

For withdrawing oil from the engine sump C the pipe 11 is connected to the conduit 8 (Figure 1), the compressor sucks air from the bell 10 into the receptacle 3 from which air is freely discharged to the outside, the valve 5 being open. Rarefaction occurring within the bell draws oil from the sump through line T, 17 and 15 and over valve 16 which has opened on fitting the pipe T thereto.

After checking the oil through the transparent bell 10, if the oil is found unsuitable for further use it is discharged into the underlying connecting tank 14 by opening the valve 13 by means of the hand control 24 (Fig. 3). If the oil is still fit for use, it is returned to the engine sump by reversing the connections of the pipe 11 as described above (see Fig. 2), so that the compressor compresses air through the conduit 4 controlled by the pressure reducing valve 6 and relief valve 7 up to the value controlled by the pressure reducing valve within the bell 10 causing the oil to flow down the sump C.

The pressure reducing valve 6 and the relief valve 7 prevent dangerously high pressures within the bell.

By loosening the pipe 11 and fitting the filter 12 to the conduit 8 the valve 5 remains closed and air pressure in the reservoir 3 can reach higher values of the order of 10 atmospheres in accordance with the setting of the automatic switch 30, for the purpose of inflating tires or similar services employing the use of high pressure air.

The air reservoir 3 is provided with a drain cock 18 for expelling any impurities collected therein and the whole apparatus but for the bell 10 which should be visible from the outside, is enclosed within a sheet metal casing 23 provided with lateral grips 28 for moving it to the neighbourhood of the vehicles.

A level gauge comprising a small vertical cylinder 26 and a float 27 is provided for checking the top level of oil in the tank 14. When the tank is full, oil is discharged therefrom through a lower discharge valve 31 which opens automatically a discharge tube 32 fitted thereto.

The conduits 15 and 17 for the oil shall be thoroughly cleaned on completion of each operation, in order to avoid mixing of oils for use with difierent engines, this being a common drawback to apparatus of this kind in which oil flows through pumps or other members unavoidably leaving residues therein.

The use of the apparatus according to this invention for washing engine crank cases affords through the use of air compressed at about two atmospheres a thorough mixing of the washing oil and a much more eificient cleaning than can be obtained with ordinary apparatus.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for checking and replacing oil in engine sumps, comprising in combination: an air pump having suction and pressure ends; a transparent air tight receptacle; a servicing pipe opening within the receptacle substantially at the bottom thereof; an air reservoir connected to the pressure end of the pump; conduit means connected at one end to the suction end of the pump; further conduit means connected at one end to the reservoir; and a connecting pipe opening at one end within the receptacle near the top thereof and adapted to be Patented July 24,195? I small tube T,

alternately coupled at its other end to the other end of either of'said conduit means.

2. Apparatus for checking and replacing oil in engine sumps, comprising in combination: an. air pump haying suction and pressure ends; a transparent air tight receptacle; a servicing pipe opening within the receptacle substantially at the bottom thereof; an air reservoir connected-to the pressure end of the pump; conduit means connected at one end to the suction end of the pump; further conduit means connected at one end to the reservoir; a connecting pipe opening at one end within the receptacle near the top thereof and adapted to be alternately coupled at its other end to the other end of either of said conduit means; and a normally closed valve at the other end of said further conduit means automatically 1,609,697 Collier Dec. 7, 1926 1,926,512 Buchet Sept. 12, 1933 2,320,048 Parson May 25, 1943 2,488,946 Turpin Nov. 22, 1949 2,533,395 Paine Dec. 12, 1950 2,661,869 Simpson Dec. 8, 1953 

